How big is the baby: About the size of an avocado or grapefruit (not half a grapefruit as I pictured above – just a little creative interpretation on my part). My husband is shocked that the baby is already so big.

Total weight gain: Two weeks ago, I was up a pound and a half since my 12 week appointment (at 12 weeks, I’d gained 4 lbs). I’ve gained another half pound for a total of 6 lbs gained.

Sleep: Pretty good – earlier this week, I even slept through the night without getting up to use the bathroom. That only lasted one night though.

Best moment of the week: Getting to hear my baby’s heartbeat. On Thursday morning, it was about 145 bpm.

Food cravings: Recently, I’ve been wanting protein shakes and lots of fruit. I have had no desire for Spaghetti O’s recently so maybe that craving has subsided, but I am still enjoying a taste of ice cream at least once a week.

Food aversions: Nothing specific.

Look – a Bump!

Symptoms:

My skin is still being hormonal – more so than usual. Thank goodness for concealer!

My lips are also incredibly chapped. It may be the nature of cooler temperatures, but they are so sore.

I’m starting to feel a bit of round ligament pain – usually when I get up after sitting or laying down for a while.

Gender: I find out on March 2nd during my 18 week appointment…less than 2 weeks! I think next weekend, I’ll do a gender poll. Let me know if there’s anything specific you want to know to help you along in your predictions.

What I’m looking forward to: I’m counting down the days until our anatomy scan/gender reveal ultrasound so I can dive head first into nursery decorating and registering. By the way, if you have any suggestions for baby “must haves” that I should add to my registry, let me know. I’m also really looking forward to feeling my baby move.

What I miss: Nothing specific.

Next Appointment: March 2nd.

PS: If you mouse over my top image, you’ll see what I looked like before I added a little vintage wallpaper to my bland walls. I used this week’s Tutorial Tuesday to guide me along.

YAY! 16 weeks already. Love the wallpaper. I think where you said looking forward to your back move I think you meant baby. Totally something I would have done. I really wanted to come celebrate with you the first week of March. We could have gone shopping. Maybe I could convince hubby just to come to town for a day. Ha ha.

You will never forget the moment you first feel your baby kick. I can still vividly remember feeling Justin for the first time… over 13 years ago!! There’s nothing like it. Best part of being pregnant hands down!

such a cute dress to wear when preggers!! You look fabulous friend and I too am SO excited to find out what you are having!!! Sounds like your pregnancy has been going pretty smoothly over all which is so awesome. What’s crazy is you are going to start feeling some major kicks and flutters here in the next 2-5 weeks or so. YEAH!

Oh my goodness! You do have the cutest tiniest baby bump! Love that dress! And see, you are journaling! Hehe! these are fun posts to read! Glad its going so well for you!

I’ve always thought that if I ever get pregnant, I want the baby to be a surprise…. I’ll find out if its a boy or girl when they show up! And since I’ve always wanted a Noah’s Ark nursery, so it would go great either way!

I love these baby bump updates Ashley. FromThe looks of your cute bump I’m goingOunon a limb and say u r having a boy. You have no huge cravings, you are not spreading just popping, you didn’t have a lot of morning sickness. The wives tales say that excess morning sickness is due toAll the extra hormones. Now IKnow there are exceptions to every rule but it’s all in fun!! Thanks for sharing wih us and I LoVE that wall paper effect.

My favorite baby things: A dimmer switch in the baby’s room (so you don’t have to search for a small lamp in the dark), some sort of bassinet for the first few weeks (especially if you are breastfeeding) I liked the fisher price rock and play sleeper because it folds up, Happiest Baby on the Block video (rent and watch before the baby is born, or there is a book), and of course a Boppy pillow (with 2 covers to alternate when washing). Sleep sacks and swaddles were great too, the Halo brand.

I love reading how things are going for you! It’s been so long since Brandon was little, I don’t even remember the “must have” items anymore. One thing I do remember – if someone offers you something you would use, like a baby swing or something, don’t feel weird about taking it. You on are really doing them a favor, by getting the baby stuff that accumulates out of their house! I felt weird about it when Brandon was little but then when we were the other side of it, trying to find good homes for everything so they could be used again, I finally understood. If people offer it to you, they WANT you to have it. Don’t feel weird. (Make sure you do want it though, don’t feel obligated to take stuff because it’s offered!)

Oh boy, 2 weeks is soooo soon! I can’t wait to hear what you are having, are you going to do something special for the reveal? Any feelings eitherway yet? I need to come up with something creative to do for my bump photos once I start taking them. I hope your headaches have gotten better!

You look amazing, I really love that background. I can’t believe it’s almost 18 weeks, wow. Based on the heart rate I’d guess a boy, but it’s a little early to tell by that I think. Either way, he/she will be blessed with a wonderful mama!!

You are really looking good! I love the vintage wall paper, and I think it really adds something neat to the photo. I also love that you cut the grapfruit in half; it’s a good interpretation and gives more visual interest. As for baby registries, it’s always so hard to tell what people “should” register for. Everybody has their own preferences for what they like. I like what Kat said, about taking up people on their offer to borrow/take their swings/pack n’ plays/etc. Some of that stuff doesn’t really get used for more than a few months tops, and then you’ve got all this extra stuff laying around. What kind of things are you thinking about registering for?

Congrats!! Love the wallpaper add in the first photo. Enjoy every minute. Life seems to go in fast forward from pregnancy onward.

The things I recommend the most: Fisher Price Precious Planet Projection mobile (my son is now 2.5 years & still uses the projection part!); Breathable Bumpers; Medela Pump In Style pump (I bf’d to 13mo & loved this pump); Dr Brown’s bottles; definitely a pack ‘n play; bouncer (my son cried the first time, but then loved it – he hated the swing); good booster for travel (ie, Fisher Price Healthy Care w/tray – still using this too). Honestly, I wouldn’t buy a travel system again. Sold ours at 18mo. If I did it again (or dare to have a 2nd child!), I would get infant seat + the snap ‘n go stroller. I’ve gotten way more use out of my jogger and my Maclaren Volo – although I’d recommend a slightly pricier Maclaren model that you can use from early ages if it fits the budget. More info than you wanted? I totally agree with other posters about borrowing what you can and also check consignment sales. So many things are only used for a very short time.

Loving your reports…and your photos! I know you are super excited to find out the sex! Way back in the day when I had my kids, we just had to wait. I wanted girls and got 4 boys! But, after they were here, it truly didn’t matter. I wish the best for you!

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh – after moving cross-country, settling into a new job and now house hunting – I weaned myself off blog reading for the last six+ months. But I started back up and just saw you’re EXPECTING!!! Congratulations, so happy for you. (and I love the weekly bump pictures, I wish I had been that creative with mine)

I love how you use the fruit to compare the size of your baby with your photos. I was telling my photographer about that. We’ve taken monthly photo shots of my belly, but that never occurred to me. (We may use that idea next time around….IF the good Lord gives us a next time around.) I’m right at 31 weeks. Cannot believe how the time flies.

Wow, It feels like forever since I have been on here! Congrats on the baby!! Im so excited for you! I am 1 week and 3 days behind you! we are so close! *Note.. drinks lots if water!!* I failed to do that in the beginning and now have a Huge kidney stone that wont pass, so I have to spend the rest of my pregnancy with a tubein my back, draining my kidney into a bag by my side I didnt know that pregnant women produce nearly double the calcium as non-prego women, and thats why they have more kidney stones. I hope your pregnancy goes perfect! and I cant wait to keep reading about your journey along the way.!

Grapefruit ( the one you are growing) and you look lovely in this photo. I wish I had the wrap for my son from day one. Moby wrap I think it is. So simple but a real life savour. Cannot wait for you to feel your baby move too. It is a very special moment.